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Original poster

End of teacher contract not renewed

118 replies

amari17 · 04/04/2018 21:46

I have just been told my contract will not be renewed, I am a teacher and was given a 2 year contract which will end this summer. I am quite devastated to be honest, as I was not expecting this at all. To provide some context, I am an NQT, my first year did not go very well, I was pregnant and struggled with behaviour management. When I returned from maternity leave, I was put on an action plan, and closely monitored, I have worked really hard, and genuinely feel I have made excellent progress, my recent end of term assessment from the school stated they were happy with my progress, and I am likely to successfully complete the NQT year. So I was shocked when my head called me for a meeting and stated in simple terms, that they do not have a job for me no explanation why, but he said he is happy to provide me a reference if needed. I was in shock and didnt really ask any questions, and just hurried out of the room so I wouldnt breakdown in front of him. I have had some time to think and whilst I am still quite upset, I am just trying to focus on getting another job and passing my NQT year. I am still really bothered by the way the whole things has been handled, firstly all my colleagues I started with, who like me initially had 2 year contracts were given permanent contracts whilst I was on maternity leave, I assumed that I was away overlooked because I was on maternity, but now I feel the whole things was planned and they wanted to get rid of me, my maternity cover has been offered a permanent contract, so he has essentially been given my job. There were two vacancies within the department, which I believe they have hired external teachers for. I just feel really cheated, and going to work everyday knowing Im not wanted gives me anxiety, also it is so late in the teaching year, how will I find a job now, I wish they had told me earlier. Any words of wisdom on how to cope will be much appreciated.

OP posts:
FlatTopVera · 04/04/2018 21:50

Your boss has done nothing wrong. He had not given ‘your job’ to someone else. You agreed a two year contract and now it is finishing. You don’t have an automatic right to stay on.

spanky2 · 04/04/2018 21:51

You need to talk to your union. I think they managed you out as you had challenges at the beginning and now you have the 'complication' of a child. I think they did you a massive favour. Tbh they sound like a really unsupportive school. You deserve a school which treats it's staff properly. Take their reference. You deserve better.

Nuffaluff · 04/04/2018 21:51

Just focus on getting your QT status. There are only a few weeks to go - you can get through them.
You will find a new job easily enough. People have only just handed their notice in, so they’ll be lots of jobs coming up.
When you leave, just put this behind you. You’ve had a tricky start, but you can learn from this experience and grow as a teacher. Give yourself time, be reflective about your experiences and you can go on to be a great teacher.

FlatTopVera · 04/04/2018 21:52

I’m also gobsmacked that you’ve written ‘I wish he’d told me earlier’. He told you it was a two year contract when he employed you!

AmazingGrace16 · 04/04/2018 22:01

Speak to your union...if they have advertised a job identical to yours I'm pretty sure you have to be considered for it. To be fair though...there is absolutely no guarantee of remaining on contract. Tiny things like a personality clash could mean that it's easier for them to not continue it. Your head has done you a favour telling you now. You've got a whole term to search and will be in the lucky position of being able to apply for jobs post may half term so you won't be in competition with teachers currently in post.

GreenTulips · 04/04/2018 22:04

If they advertised the jobs you should've applied for them and not assumed automatic renewal

Teachers here are employed by the government not the school

Why didn't you apply?

DancesWithOtters · 04/04/2018 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IndianaMoleWoman · 04/04/2018 22:19

It sounds like they’re going to pass you for your NQT year and give you a good reference, I wouldn’t jeopardise those two things to make a fuss and cling onto a job in a school where you are clearly not wanted. Also, although it’s a shitty situation, I don’t think they’ve done anything wrong. Good luck finding a new position Flowers

Original poster
amari17 · 04/04/2018 22:24

My understanding is that when a contract is not being renewed the employer should consider any other suitable positions within the business, as non renewal of a contract of two years is actually considered a dismissal in law, so there is a set process which they should follow, they havent done this.

Spanky2 you are right I will definetly prefer to work in a more supportive school, thry have a bit of record of being quite reckless and atleast four teachers have walked out this year for various reasons, but basically due to school playing tricks.

GreenTulips im not sure why I didnt apply, I just assumed they would renew as two people resigned in my department so there were atleast two vacancies.

OP posts:
Original poster
amari17 · 04/04/2018 22:26

Yes I know this, but going to work everyday is giving me anxiety. I was nearly in tears the other day.

OP posts:
NeedForBlossom · 04/04/2018 22:27

You say they were 2 year contracts - are you being paid during August?

AprilShowerz · 04/04/2018 22:28

Is this Teach First? If so you're not the only one this has happened to this year

donquixotedelamancha · 04/04/2018 22:40

There were two vacancies within the department, which I believe they have hired external teachers for.

Are we all missing something? Surely they didn't renew your contract because they've appointed two permanent staff, so they don't need further temp cover? Do you have any reason to think they need another teacher next year?

I wish they had told me earlier

What did they tell you? Unless someone had explicitly stated that there was another permanent post, which would be offered to you; then surely you knew you would need another post.

Any words of wisdom on how to cope

You seem quite naive about how employment works, hopefully this will be a learning experience:

  • Concentrate on getting that QTS signed off; don't assume it's all fine. - Realise that you should have spoken to your line manager about your prospects much sooner.
  • Nothing is certain until you have it in writing.
  • Ask to see the reference they are giving and ask your line manager to provide a personal reference as well for future posts.
  • Get the head and your line manage to look at your CV and covering letter. Get some interview advice.
donquixotedelamancha · 04/04/2018 22:43

My understanding is that when a contract is not being renewed the employer should consider any other suitable positions within the business, as non renewal of a contract of two years is actually considered a dismissal in law,

Please don't say this to anyone at work until you get professional advice. I don't know your exact circumstances, but from what you describe, you will be wrong.

Kissthealderman · 04/04/2018 22:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sakura06 · 04/04/2018 22:49

That's really disheartening for you. Hopefully you're in an area with lots of jobs. Concentrate on passing your NQT year and finding yourself a nicer, new school to work at. Sorry this has happened. Thanks

sakura06 · 04/04/2018 22:53

It's worth asking your union about the 2 year fixed term issue. ACAS website seems to imply eligibility for redundancy... You need to ask an expert though.

Viviennemary · 04/04/2018 23:02

This is a horrible thing to happen to anyone. I agree with speaking to your Union especially if you think you have been discriminated against because you took maternity leave. And don't say anything to any colleagues at work. But a fixed term contract is usually that. A contract that is valid only for the fixed term and does not need to be renewed and I don't think in law the employer has an obligation to find you another position. Hope things work out.

ScienceNut · 04/04/2018 23:02

The 2 years is the cut off for a lot of employment law. Before it your rights are limited for example the need for an appeal prior to an employment tribunal.

You should have been going through an appraisal process for the last 2 years, what were the signs there?

GreenTulips · 04/04/2018 23:30

A lot of teachers will be employed on a yearly contract rather than permanent.

They are told the term beofrenof they are needed in September. This is when they know the new intake and numbers needed (same for TAs as well) no teachers job is guaranteed.

You are not in an unusual position - it's quite normal in schools. Otherwise they'd have far too many teachers to children.

Local school her are merging 2 lots of years into one class

Intake DD year is 10 classes in high school - DS year has 8 classes - next intake is 7.

It fluxtuates

It's not personal - it's how it works

Maybe they are annoyed you didn't apply for the vacancies and assume you don't want to work there anymore?

daisychain01 · 05/04/2018 11:26

You should have been going through an appraisal process for the last 2 years, what were the signs there?

The OP stated upthread that her first year was a struggle and was on an improvement plan, but she made good progress and then was given the bombshell that they weren't going to offer her continuity of employment at the end of her 2 year FTC.

OP if you believe your employer failed to give you the equivalent opportunity as other people, to apply for new vacancies while you were on Mat Leave, then you must formalise this as a grievance in writing, stating your concerns.

However, consider "the bird in the hand" in all this is that your employers are currently tripping over themselves to give you a reference, so I would grab it with both hands, plus ensure you get your NQT confirmed and look to the future. Start applying for new jobs.

GrumpyPantz · 05/04/2018 11:47

As far as I know, your employer is within their rights to stick to the 2 year contract you were originally employed on. They don't have to renew it or offer you a permanent job. If you knew that permanent jobs were advertised you should have applied for them. I'm unsure why you're surprised about being out of a job when you knew from the beginning that it was a fixed term contract?

That said, I don't doubt that they've chosen not to keep you on because of the hassle of maternity and having a baby to look after etc. But proving it is pretty much impossible.

Original poster
amari17 · 05/04/2018 12:24

Yes I know all this, but my employer gave everbody apart from me a full time contract, whilst I was away on maternity, due to some tax issues and I was left off. When I asked about this I was fobbed off, and then later told my contract has not been renewed. My maternity replacement was approached and asked to stay, whilst I was told I am no longer needed in September. I have been applying for new jobs and just trying to be positive, I feel a bit hopeful as I am physics and maths teacher which are shortage subjects, so hopefully i get something. I do feel anxious about the fact I am clearly not wanted in the school, but will have to finish the term. Thanks for all your advice.

OP posts:
BubblesBuddy · 05/04/2018 14:56

I think there are a number of issues here. For any school to release a physics and maths teacher, there must be a bit more going on.

Secondly, NQT status is meant to be for one year, not two. So are you part time or did you actually need two years because of maternity? Or because it had to be extended because you were not up to standard? Your NQT year has been extended and you did have problems. Maybe others didn’t.

They can give you a 2 year contract but NQT posts normally continue because they are actual jobs that are filled by a new teacher. They are not additional posts.

I cannot think why you didn’t apply for a post knowing you had a contract coming to an end. Also, you should not have too much difficulty in getting another post if you stay positive. Teachers have until 31 May to resign. Many will not have resigned yet. Speak to your mentor and the LA about a new job. It’s not the end of the world and there will be other jobs. Huge numbers of teachers have children and babies! If everyone who has a baby was managed out, there would be no teachers!

Original poster
amari17 · 05/04/2018 15:23

Bubblesbaudy my NQT year was extended due to maternity leave, and also on my return they did not have enough classes to give me, as my maternity cover is still here also. I am essentially on a part time timetable, although I am in school full time and do cover for absent staff and extra duties. I had good day today at school just trying to be positive

OP posts: